Host and method for accessing service module thereof

Abstract

A method for accessing a service is applicable between a host and a device. Service data associated with the service are searched. The service code is sought to determine if it is available or not based on the service data. The service code and the user interface are accessed through a first port number included in the service data if the service code is available. The service code is executed to access the service if the service code is accessed. The status of the device is obtained through the service. The status of the device is displayed on the user interface. The method separates the plug-in program from the main program, which can achieve more flexible development and reduce integration time. When the method puts the user interface on the device side, it can achieve the goal of cross-platform integration and reduce the development time for different platforms.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for accessing a service module, applicable between a host and at least one device, wherein the host and the at least one device are electrically connected to each other, and the service module comprises a user interface and a service code, the method comprising:
 searching for service data associated with the service module; wherein the service data comprises a first port number for accessing the user interface and the service code; 
 searching whether the service code is available based on the service data; 
 accessing the service code and the user interface by using the first port number if the service code is available; 
 executing the service code to access to the service module if the service code is accessed, and obtaining a status of the at least one device through the service module; 
 displaying the status of the at least one device on the user interface; 
 searching whether a service name associated with the service module is available if the service code is available; 
 obtaining a port number if the service name associated with the service module is available; and 
 accessing the service code by using the port number. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 updating the port number if the service code is accessed. 
 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 executing a main program to display a main user interface before searching for the service data; 
 accessing the service code and the user interface by using a second port number if the service name associated with the service module is not available and the service code cannot be accessed; 
 detecting whether the at least one device is available after obtaining the status of the at least one device through the service module; and 
 embedding the user interface of the service module within the main user interface if the at least one device is available. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 accessing the service code and the user interface by using a second port number if the service name associated with the service module is not available or the service code cannot be accessed. 
 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting whether at least one device is available after obtaining the status of the at least one device through the service module. 
 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a plug-in user interface. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the user interface and the service code are stored in the host or the at least one device. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a web page. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the service data further comprise the following:
 a communication interface type corresponding to the at least one device, a vendor ID corresponding to the at least one device, a product ID corresponding to the at least one device, a storage path of the user interface, a storage path of the service code, a first service name of the user interface, and a second service name of the service code. 
 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first port number comprises a first sub-port number and a second sub-port number; the first sub-port number is used to access the user interface, and the second sub-port number is used to access the service code. 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 executing a main program to display a main user interface before searching for the service data; and 
 embedding the user interface of the service module within the main user interface. 
 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the main program and the user interface communicate with each other through a Hyper Text Markup Language. 
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the user interface and the service code communicate with each other through an Open Application Programming Interface specification. 
     
     
       14. A host, electrically connected to at least one device, comprising:
 a memory, configured to store a service module; wherein the service module comprises a user interface and a service code; and 
 a processor, electrically connected to the memory, configured to execute the following steps: 
 searching for service data associated with the service module; wherein the service data comprises a first port number for accessing the user interface and the service code; 
 searching whether the service code is available based on the service data; 
 accessing the service code and the user interface by using the first port number if the service code is available; 
 executing the service code to access the service module if the service code is accessed, and obtaining a status of the at least one device through the service module; 
 displaying the status of the at least one device on the user interface; 
 searching whether a service name associated with the service module is available if the service code is available; 
 obtaining a port number if the service name associated with the service module is available; and 
 accessing the service code by using the port number. 
 
     
     
       15. The host as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the processor executes a main program to display a main user interface before the processor searches the service data; the processor embeds the user interface of the service module within the main user interface. 
     
     
       16. The host as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the processor updates the port number if the service code is accessed; and the processor accesses the service code and the user interface by using a second port number if the service name associated with the service module is not available and the service code cannot be accessed. 
     
     
       17. The host as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the processor detects whether at least one device is available after the processor obtains the status of the at least one device through the service module. 
     
     
       18. The host as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the user interface is a web page.